To begin with we really need to dispel some of the myths that seem to surround Quinoa (say it: keen-wah) Quinoa is neither a type of pasta (our Italian friends would never forgive us) nor is it a vegetable or cereal! So what is it?

We cook and eat QuiQui like many other grains, but, botanically speaking, it's a relative of spinach, beets and chard. Even more surprising, she has a best friend with fur: the Lama!

The two friends have lived in symbiosis for centuries in the South American Andes. They feed each other: the lamas eat the QuiQui and the QuiQui grows thanks to the manure.

Richer in protein than pasta and rice and gluten-free, quinoa is a "superfood" essential in vegetarian and vegan diets.

The reasons for vegetarians to exclude meat from their diet can be religious, ethical, environmental or dietary. In the latter case, it has been scientifically shown that a reduction in red meat consumption reduces cardiovascular disease and cancer risks.

The term vegetarian was created from Latin ‘vegetus’ meaning “healthy, fresh and alive".

The blooming quinoa fields

Contrary to what many people think, a vegetarian diet does not lead to more nutritional deficiencies than other diets, provided that it includes sufficient variety. The infinite possibility of cooking vegetables has led starred chefs to offer exclusively vegetarian menus. Among them, the late chef Joël Robuchon, had indicated that "vegetarian cuisine will be the one of the next ten years".

So let's have fun with two recipes made with quinoa. The first is a healthy and tasty recipe: quinoa burgers, a béchamel trompe-l'oeil that is actually a cauliflower-based sauce, all served with carrots and roasted beet. Amazing but true, quinoa also combines perfectly with sweet and especially with chocolate. It gives an extra crispy touch to the gourmet chocolate chip “Qookies” recipe you will surely appreciate.

Now that QuiQui is no longer an anonymous person, enjoy cooking it!

Bon Appétit!

Quinoa Burger, cauliflower béchamel sauce and roasted vegetables

Quinoa Burgers (6 people)

350g Quinoa

700ml of water

1 bunch of parsley or chervil

½ onion

1 clove of garlic

25g Oatmeal flakes

25g flour

1 Egg

½ lemon (juice)

Salt, pepper, paprika

1. Wash the quinoa twice. Cook it in water for 15 minutes.

2. Chop the onion, parsley and garlic. Add to quinoa. Mix.

3. Add egg, oatmeal, lemon juice and spices. Mix.

4. Make the burgers by placing the preparation in a cookie cutter.

5. Place the patties in staggered rows on an ovenproof baking sheet covered with baking paper.

6. Bake at 180°C for 20 minutes.

Cauliflower bechamel sauce

1 medium cauliflower

1 clove of garlic

1 glass of vegetal milk

2 tablespoons of grape seed oil

Salt, pepper, nutmeg

1. Cut the cauliflower and peel the garlic. Steam for 30 minutes.

2. Put all the ingredients in a blender and puree.

Roasted vegetables

500g carrots and 200g beetroot

10 ml grape seed oil

3 sprigs fresh rosemary

Juice of 1/2 lemon

Salt, pepper

1. Wash the carrots. Peel the beets. Cut into sticks.

2. Place them in an oven dish and mix with all the other ingredients.

3. Bake at 200°C for 45 minutes or until soft.

Plate & Enjoy!

Chocolate chip Qookies

Ingredients for 18 cookies

100g of fermenting flour

50g of cooked quinoa

1 egg yolk

85g melted butter

35g coconut or brown sugar

35g white sugar

40g chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 170°C fan on.

2. Mix the melted (but warm) butter and sugars.

3. Add the egg yolk, quinoa and salt. Mix.

4. Add the sifted flour. Mixing

5. Chop the chocolate and stir in.

6. Put in the fridge for 30 minutes.

7. Make pasta balls and place them on a baking sheet with a baking sheet.